Three policemen, including Alex, came running up onto the deck in what seemed like seconds and grabbed Flan.
“We got the right one this time,” Mattheus hissed, the muscles in his cheeks trembling. “The bastard was about to throw Cindy into the water when she asked about Shelly.”
Alex, unbelieving, looked back and forth between Cindy and Mattheus. His eyes darting, looked scared.
“Thank God you’re alright,” he said to Cindy.
“You guys messed up, big time,” Mattheus murmured. “You held the wrong guy. Never checked out the real shark.”
Cindy watched them handcuff Flan, and pull him off the deck into the police car.
“What’s his alibi?” asked Alex quickly, before he left with them.
“I have no idea,” said Cindy, “he refused to tell me.”
*
Cindy and Mattheus walked to the Police Station together, letting them take Flan in the car. The light was dimming, as early evening was coming.
“You did an amazing job,” said Mattheus, his arm around her, protectively. “I’ve never known such a brave woman.”
Cindy wanted to put her head on Mattheus’s shoulder, but wouldn’t let herself. She had to stay strong, remember who she was, and what she was doing down here in Key West. It was too easy to get lulled into a false sense of comfort. That was the last thing she needed. She had to stay sharp.
When they walked into the station, the police were surrounding Flan, who was pinned down on a chair.
“Where were you when she was killed?” Rodney was demanding.
“Out in the boat,” Flan said, flummoxed, “fishing as usual.”
“Out in the boat at night?” Rodney asked, jeering at him.
“They didn’t find her in the night,” Flan objected.
“No, they didn’t,” Rodney pushed up against him, “but the time they found her and the time she was murdered were two different times.”
Flan tried his best to re-group.
“No big deal,” he said vehemently. “I thought you were asking where I was when they found her?”
“Where were you at the time of the murder?” Rodney insisted again.
“Hell, probably in bed with my wife,” said Flan, “if it was the night. Katrina will tell you, that’s where I was.”
Cindy walked in, closer to them. Flan’s head shot up and he glared at her. If they were alone, it looked like he could have killed her on the spot.
“I was sleeping in bed with my wife,” he repeated louder, “when Shelly was killed.”
“Katrina was in the Shelter when Shelly was killed,” Cindy informed them.
“Go to hell,” Flan hissed at her. “And if you don’t go on your own, I’ll make sure you do.”
Cindy turned away from him. “Call Katrina,” she said to the cops. “Get her in here immediately.”
“Alex has already called her,” said Rodney.
Cindy full well knew it could be dangerous for Katrina to come in, but she belonged here. There was plenty she could fill them in on. She had to be here, safe or not.
Alex came over to Mattheus and Cindy then.
“You two have done incredible work,” he said. “We’re booking Flan. He’s got no alibi at the moment and we need him here for further questioning.”
“You got your man,” Mattheus growled. “Lots of people saw him and Shelly together, including his wife.”
Alex shook his head. Cindy saw that he felt embarrassed that this went on under their nose and they had no idea.
Just then Katrina came flying into the station, yelling at the top of her lungs.
“Flan, Flan, where are you?”
“Calm down,” Alex said to her.
“Don’t you tell me to calm down, you punk,” she said. “I want to see my husband, immediately!” Then she saw Cindy. “You did this, you bastard,” Katrina flailed out. “I talked to you in private.”
“I had to speak to Flan,” said Cindy. “I told you I was going to.”
“You didn’t!” Katrina shrieked.
“Yes, of course, I did. A murder was committed.”
Katrina spun around. “Where is he? I want to see him.”
Alex led her to the room Flan was in and Cindy walked slowly behind them. She leaned against the door and listened in, while they talked fervently.
“It’s not going to happen, I’ll get you out,” Cindy heard Katrina saying.
“Nothing’s keeping me here long,” Flan reassured her.
“I love you, Flan.” Katrina blustered.
“Go to hell,” he shouted.
“I love you more than Shelly did. Believe me, I do,” she howled.
“No one loved me more than Shelly,” Flan spat back at her, his voice suddenly cracking. “And you go to hell. Say what you want, the truth is the truth.”
CHAPTER 21
Cindy couldn’t get the conversation between Katrina and Flan out of her mind or the way his voice cracked when he said that Shelly loved him better. What could that mean? Cindy wanted to know more.
After Flan was booked at the Station, there was nothing further for Cindy and Mattheus to do there.